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    Home » Pasta

    One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage

    Published: Nov 16, 2022 / Updated: Nov 16, 2022 / 356 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This creamy gnocchi with sausage recipe is an easy, quick, and incredibly delicious comfort food meal made all in one pan. It's ready in just 30 minutes!

    If you're wondering what to make with Italian sausage, try my Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta or Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup next for more inspiration.

    a skillet with italian sausage gnocchi and a wooden spoon

    Why you'll love it

    Tender gnocchi and flavorful Italian sausage is one of my favorite combos. It's just such a tasty protein that goes with all kinds of pasta, and gnocchi is no exception. Pair it with a mouthwatering creamy tomato sauce, and it's pure heaven. This one pan gnocchi recipe tastes like it came from a restaurant, but it's super simple to make.

    Like several of my gnocchi recipes, this Italian sausage gnocchi is a one pan wonder as well. The gnocchi cooks right in the sauce, so no need to boil it separately. Fewer dishes means more time spent enjoying this cozy treat with your family or guests that's sure to dazzle!

    What you'll need

    • Italian sausage - use either ground sausage meat or buy a pack of mild Italian sausages, take out of the casings, and crumble it
    • Onion and garlic - our base aromatics. I prefer sweet (Vidalia) onions, and this garlic press is my go-to since you don't even need to peel the cloves before mincing them.
    • White wine - adds a touch of elegance! Use a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, one you actually enjoy drinking (not cooking wine).
    • Diced tomatoes - a convenient way to get that concentrated tomato taste since they're canned at the peak of ripeness
    • Heavy cream - for making the sauce luxurious
    • Gnocchi - I buy the shelf-stable potato gnocchi found in the pasta aisle of most major grocery stores
    • Parmesan cheese - always use freshly grated for optimal flavor and texture
    • Basil - it gives a burst of freshness and is a classic pairing with tomato sauces
    ingredients for italian sausage gnocchi in prep bowls

    Pro tips

    • I have homemade gnocchi. Can I use that instead? Not for this recipe. It's very delicate and won't hold up to the one pan recipe method.
    • Am I supposed to cook the gnocchi first? Nope! The beauty of this one is that it cooks right in the sauce. In fact, the starch released is an important component of the sauce.
    • Why isn't my sauce thickening? Stoves and cookware are all different, so if it's not thickening up, simply give it more time. On the other hand, if your stove runs hot, just turn down the heat a little.

    How to make creamy sausage gnocchi

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    cooking italian sausage in a skillet

    Prep the ingredients. Sauté the sausage and onion in a skillet until lightly browned, then stir in the garlic for about half a minute. Pour in the wine and cook for a minute or so.

    cooking one pan gnocchi in a skillet

    Add in the tomatoes, gnocchi, and cream. Let it bubble, then cover and reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir, then let it cook uncovered until thickened and the gnocchi is soft. Add in the parm, basil, and season with salt & pepper. Enjoy!

    Substitutions and variations

    • If you can't use white wine for whatever reason, try replacing it with chicken broth plus 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
    • For a spicy kick, add in some crushed pepper flakes or use a hot variety of sausage. You could also try my Spicy Italian Sausage Gnocchi recipe instead.
    • Many of my readers add in some spinach at the end until it wilts to get in some greens.
    • Our kitchen doesn't recommend substituting the heavy cream for something with a lower fat content. You could get away with using half-and-half, but it won't be as rich or flavorful, and there's always a chance of curdling due to the tomatoes.
    closeup of creamy gnocchi with sausage on a wooden spoon

    What to serve with this gnocchi

    • This is a fairly rich meal, so all it needs is a big slice of fresh bread alongside it. Try French bread, sourdough, or a dinner roll. Going all out with Cheesy Garlic Bread is always a good idea, though!
    • For lighter fare, my Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad is easy peasy and goes well. Mixed greens with my Creamy Balsamic Dressing works too.

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers of this gnocchi will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in a covered container.
    • I suggest re-warming it in a saucepan over a low heat slowly. Keep in mind that as time goes on, the gnocchi will release more starch, so you can always add a splash more wine or cream to thin it a bit.
    • Freezing pasta with creamy sauces isn't something I recommend. The texture is liable to change.

    More easy gnocchi recipes

    • Tomato Goat Cheese Gnocchi
    • Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi
    • 15 Minute One Pan Creamy Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Gnocchi
    • Easy Baked Gnocchi
    • Creamy Tomato Gnocchi
    a bowl of creamy gnocchi with a fork

    Hope you love this simple gnocchi recipe! Questions? Don't hesitate to ask. I'd love it if you left me a review below. You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram to showcase any recipe of mine you made.

    a skillet with italian sausage gnocchi and a wooden spoon

    One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage

    This creamy gnocchi with sausage recipe is an easy, quick, and incredibly delicious comfort food meal made all in one pan. It's ready in just 30 minutes!
    4.99 from 107 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 874 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 16 ounces Italian sausage
    • 1/2 small onion chopped finely
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/3 cup dry white wine (e.g. sauvignon blanc)
    • 1 (14 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
    • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • Handful fresh basil torn
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Sauté the sausage and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes, or until the sausage and onions are lightly browned.
    • Add the garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds.
    • Add the wine and let it cook for about a minute.
    • Stir in the diced tomatoes, cream, and gnocchi. Once the sauce starts to bubble again, cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes. 
    • Uncover the pan, give it a good stir, and let it cook for another few minutes, or until the gnocchi has cooked through and is nice and soft and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
    • Stir in the parmesan cheese, basil, and salt & pepper, to taste. Serve immediately. 

    Notes

    • There is no need to pre-cook the gnocchi. It'll cook right in the sauce. 
    • For the sausages, anything around the 16 ounce/1 pound ballpark is fine - it doesn't need to be exact. Buy ground sausage meat or take the sausage meat out of the casings if using whole sausages.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 874kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 27gFat: 62gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 1592mgPotassium: 602mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1152IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword gnocchi with sausage, italian sausage gnocchi
    Author Natasha Bull

    This recipe was originally published on December 22, 2017. It's been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!

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    1. April says

      March 27, 2023 at 6:02 PM

      My family loves this recipe every time I make it. I usually use regular pork sausage and spice it up myself. There is never a speck left when I make this. I like to put some parm on top and put it under the broiler for a minute. So good.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 27, 2023 at 9:19 PM

        Fantastic!!

        Reply
    2. Mike says

      March 12, 2023 at 5:47 PM

      5 stars
      The taste-to-effort ratio on this recipe is AMAZING - so easy and quick, but with so much flavor. This has become a staple in our house, to the point that I felt compelled to write this (and I'm not a recipe commenter, typically). Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 13, 2023 at 1:50 PM

        Thank you so much! Your review is very much appreciated, Mike!

        Reply
    3. Natalie T says

      February 20, 2023 at 12:18 PM

      5 stars
      I've made this recipe about half a dozen times now and it's delicious! Definitely going to keep it in our rotation of meals.. and it's very easy to make! Highly recommend trying!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 20, 2023 at 12:19 PM

        That's awesome!! Thanks so much for your glowing review, Natalie! 😀

        Reply
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    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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